Preparation and evaluation of lecithin/zein hybrid nanoparticles for the oral delivery of Panax notoginseng saponins

Promoting oral absorption of Panax notoginseng saponins via thiolated trimethyl chitosan and wheat germ agglutinin-modified nanoformulation

This study aimed to enhance the oral absorption of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) via nanoparticles modified with thiolated trimethyl chitosan (TMC-Cys) and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), termed PP-WT NPs. In vitro investigations revealed that PP-WT NPs exhibited delayed release of PNS and a strong tolerance to the gastric acids and digestive enzymes. Moreover, PP-WT NPs exhibited efficient cellular uptake and transport capabilities in the Caco-2/HT29-co-cultured cell model. In vivo animal experiments demonstrated that PP-WT NPs effectively overcame the mucus layer barrier, with the effective permeability coefficients of R1, Rg1, and Rb1 in the small intestine being 1.68, 1.64, and 1.63 times higher than those of free PNS, respectively. Taken together, thiolated trimethyl chitosan and wheat germ agglutinin-modified nanoparticles hold significant potential for improving the oral absorption of PNS, representing an attractive strategy for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

New insights into anti-diabetes effects and molecular mechanisms of dietary saponins

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a long-term metabolic disorder that manifests as chronic hyperglycemia and impaired insulin, bringing a heavy load on the global health care system. Considering the inevitable side effects of conventional anti-diabetic drugs, saponins-rich natural products exert promising therapeutic properties to serve as safer and more cost-effective alternatives for DM management. Herein, this review systematically summarized the research progress on the anti-diabetic properties of dietary saponins and their underlying molecular mechanisms in the past 20 years. Dietary saponins possessed the multidirectional anti-diabetic capabilities by concurrent regulation of various signaling pathways, such as IRS-1/PI3K/Akt, AMPK, Nrf2/ARE, NF-κB-NLRP3, SREBP-1c, and PPARγ, in liver, pancreas, gut, and skeletal muscle. However, the industrialization and commercialization of dietary saponin-based drugs are confronted with a significant challenge due to the low bioavailability and lack of the standardization. Hence, in-depth evaluations in pharmacological profile, function-structure interaction, drug-signal pathway interrelation are essential for developing dietary saponins-based anti-diabetic treatments in the future.

Self-Double-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System Enteric-Coated Capsules: A Novel Approach to Improve Oral Bioavailability and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Panax notoginseng Saponins

In this work, self-double-emulsifying drug delivery system enteric-coated capsules (PNS-SDE-ECC) were used to enhance the oral bioavailability and anti-inflammatory effects of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS), which are rapidly biodegradable, poorly membrane permeable, and highly water-soluble compounds. The PNS-SDEDDS formulated by a modified two-step method spontaneously emulsified to W/O/W double emulsions in the outer aqueous solution, which significantly promoted the absorption of PNS in the intestinal tract. The release study revealed that PNS-SDE-ECC exhibited sustained release of PNS within 24 h and the stability study indicated that PNS-SDE-ECC were stable at room temperature for up to 3 months. Furthermore, compared to PNS gastric capsules, the relative bioavailability of NGR1, GRg1, GRe, GRb1, and GRd in PNS-SDE-ECC was increased by 4.83, 10.78, 9.25, 3.58, and 4.63 times, respectively. More importantly, PNS-SDE-ECC significantly reduced OXZ-induced inflammatory damage in the colon by regulating the expression of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-13, and MPO cytokines. Overall, the prepared PNS-SDE-ECC may serve as a viable vehicle for increasing the oral bioavailability of PNS and its anti-inflammatory action on ulcerative colitis.

Development of carboxymethyl chitosan-coated zein/soy lecithin nanoparticles for the delivery of resveratrol

The objective of this work is to formulate a zein-based nanocomposite for the delivery of natural polyphenols. A proprietary atomizing/antisolvent precipitation (AAP) process was used to prepare carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC)-coated zein/soy lecithin (SL) nanoparticles (ZLC NPs). At a suitable mass ratio of zein/SL/CMC (100 : 30 : 30), ZLC NPs with desirable redispersibility and physicochemical stability were successfully fabricated. After that, resveratrol (Res) as the representative natural polyphenol was encapsulated in ZLC NPs. The optimized Res/ZLC NPs exhibited a spherical morphology, small size (259.43 ± 2.47 nm), large zeta potential (-47.7 ± 0.66 mV), and high encapsulation efficiency (91.32 ± 4.01%) and loading capacity (5.27 ± 0.35%). Further characterization indicated that Res was encapsulated in the hydrophobic core of the ZLC matrix in an amorphous state. Compared to free Res, Res/ZLC NPs showed a 2.55-fold increase in the Res dissolution rate, a 2.27-fold increase in bioaccessibility, and a 1.69-fold increase in ABTS˙⁺ scavenging activity. Also, Res/ZLC NPs showed a higher Res retention rate (>68.0%) than free Res (<35.0%) over 45 days of storage. Therefore, ZLC NPs have promising potential as vehicles for natural polyphenols.

Zein-based nanoparticles: Preparation, characterization, and pharmaceutical application

Zein, as one of the natural and GRAS proteins in plant, is renewable, nontoxic, biocompatible and biodegradable. Over the past decade, many research efforts have been devoted to zein-based biomaterials for several industrial applications. Combining with research experiences in our research group, the preparation methods, characterizations and pharmaceutical applications of zein-based nanoparticles were summarized in this review. Zein NPs with different particle nanostructures have been prepared by chemical crosslinking, desolvating, dispersing and micromixing strategies. The pharmaceutical applications of zein NPs are mainly focus on the drug delivery. Zein NPs can improve the drug stability, increase the oral bioavailability, control the drug release and enhance the drug targeting, thereby improving the pharmaceutical effect effectively. More efforts are required to analyze the relationship among preparation methods, particle nanostructures and pharmaceutical properties in virtue of quality by design approach, and further promote the scale-up production and clinical application of zein NPs.

Enhanced oral bioavailability from food protein nanoparticles: A mini review

The oral route is the most desirable drug administration path. The oral bioavailability is always compromised from the poor physicochemical and/or biopharmaceutical properties of the active pharmaceutical ingredients. Food protein nanoparticles show promise for oral drug delivery, with improved biosafety and cost-effectiveness compared to polymeric nanoparticles. More importantly, diverse food proteins provide "choice and variety" to meet the challenges faced by different drugs in oral delivery resulting from low solubility, poor permeability, and gastrointestinal stability. The abundance of hydroxyl, amino, and carboxyl groups in food proteins allows easy surface modification of the nanoparticles to impart unique functions. Albeit being in its infancy, food protein nanoparticles exhibit high capability to enhance oral bioavailability of a wide range of drugs from small molecules to biomacromolecules. Considering the rapid growth of the field, the achievements and mechanisms of food protein nanoparticles in enhancing oral bioavailability are reviewed. Factors affecting the performance of food protein nanoparticles are discussed with the purpose to inspire the development of food protein nanoparticle-based oral drug delivery systems.

Mechanism of Enhanced Oral Absorption of a Nano-Drug Delivery System Loaded with Trimethyl Chitosan Derivatives

Introduction

In the previous study, nanoparticles coated with trimethyl chitosan (TMC) derivatives (PPTT-NPs) could promote the oral bioavailability of panax notoginseng saponins (PNS). Herein, we chose PPTT-NPs as a model drug to study the property and mechanism of intestinal absorption in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

The stability of PPTT-NPs was evaluated using simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid. The uptake and transport of PPTT-NPs were investigated in Caco-2 and Caco-2&HT29 co-culture cells. The biosafety, intestinal permeability, adhesion, and absorption mechanism of PPTT-NPs were investigated using SD rats in vivo. The live imaging and biodistribution of PPTT-NPs were observed by IVIS. Furthermore, the effects on CYP3A4 of PPTT-NPs were investigated using testosterone as the probe substrate.

Results

The results of the stability assay showed that PPTT-NPs had a strong tolerance to the pH and digestive enzymes in the gastrointestinal environment. In vitro cell experiments showed that the uptake of drugs exhibited a time-dependent. When the ratio of TMC-VB₁₂ and TMC-Cys was 1:3, the uptake capacity of PPTT-NPs was the highest. PPTT-NPs could enhance the paracellular transport of drugs by reversibly opening a tight junction. Animal experiments demonstrated that PPTT-NPs have good biological safety. PPTT-NPs had good adhesion and permeability to small intestinal mucosa. Meanwhile, PPTT-NPs needed energy and various protein to participate in the uptake of drugs. The live imaging of NPs illustrated that PPTT-NPs could prolong the residence time in the intestine. Moreover, TMC-VB₁₂ and TMC-Cys could reduce the metabolism of drugs by inhibiting CYP3A4 to a certain extent.

Conclusion

The results show that TMC-VB₁₂ and TMC-Cys are effective in the transport of PPTT-NPs. PPTT-NPs can increase the intestinal adhesion of drugs and exert high permeation by intestinal enterocytes which demonstrate significant and efficient potential for oral delivery of the BCS III drugs.

Zein Microparticles and Nanoparticles as Drug Delivery Systems

Zein is a natural, biocompatible, and biodegradable polymer widely used in the pharmaceutical, biomedical, and packaging fields because of its low water vapor permeability, antibacterial activity, and hydrophobicity. It is a vegetal protein extracted from renewable resources (it is the major storage protein from corn). There has been growing attention to producing zein-based drug delivery systems in the recent years. Being a hydrophobic biopolymer, it is used in the controlled and targeted delivery of active principles. This review examines the present-day landscape of zein-based microparticles and nanoparticles, focusing on the different techniques used to obtain particles, the optimization of process parameters, advantages, disadvantages, and final applications.

A review of factors affecting the stability of zein-based nanoparticles loaded with bioactive compounds: from construction to application

Zein-based nanoparticles loaded with bioactive compounds have positive prospects in the food industry, but an important limiting factor for development is colloidal instability. Currently, extensive researches are focused on solving the instability of zein nanoparticles, but since the beginning of the studies, there has not been a summary of the factors affecting the stability of zein-based nanoparticles. In the present work, the factors were reviewed comprehensively from the perspective of carrier construction and application evaluation. The former mainly includes type, quantity, and characteristics of biopolymer, the mass ratio of biopolymer/bioactive compound to zein, blending sequence of biopolymer, and location of encapsulated bioactive compounds. The latter mainly includes pH, heating, ionic strength, storage, freeze-drying, and gastrointestinal digestion. The former is the prerequisite for the success of the latter. The challenge is that stability research is limited to the laboratory level, and it is difficult to ensure that the stability results are suitable for commercial food matrices due to their complexity. At the laboratory level, the future trends are the influence of external energy and the cross-complexity and uniformity of stability research. The review is expected to provide systematic understanding and guidance for the development of zein-based nanoparticles stability.

Recent Advances in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Treatment of Podocyte Injury

Podocyte is also called glomerular epithelial cell, which has been considered as the final gatekeeper of glomerular filtration barrier (GFB). As a major contributor to proteinuria, podocyte injury underlies a variety of glomerular diseases and becomes the challenge to patients and their families in general. At present, the therapeutic methods of podocyte injury mainly include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, steroid and immunosuppressive medications. Nevertheless, the higher cost and side effects seriously disturb patients with podocyte injury. Promisingly, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has received an increasing amount of attention from different countries in the treatment of podocyte injury by invigorating spleen and kidney, clearing heat and eliminating dampness, as well enriching qi and activating blood. Therefore, we searched articles published in peer-reviewed English-language journals through Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct. The protective effects of active ingredients, herbs, compound prescriptions, acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of podocyte injury were further summarized and analyzed. Meanwhile, we discussed feasible directions for future development, and analyzed existing deficiencies and shortcomings of TCM in the treatment of podocyte injury. In conclusion, this paper shows that TCM treatments can serve as promising auxiliary therapeutic methods for the treatment of podocyte injury.

Co-assembly of foxtail millet prolamin-lecithin/alginate sodium in citric acid-potassium phosphate buffer for delivery of quercetin

Foxtail millet nanoparticles with smaller mean size at ∼130 nm and narrower polydispersity index at ∼0.05 were prepared in citric acid-potassium phosphate buffer (pH 8.0). Through lecithin (Lec)/sodium alginate (Alg) coating, a hydrophobic FP core, a Lec monolayer, and a hydrophilic Alg shell were formed spontaneously. Dissociation experiment revealed that electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding were main driving forces for the formation and maintenance of stable FP-Lec/Alg NPs. In addition, Lec/Alg coated NPs exerted an important role in sustaining the controlled release of the encapsulated quercetin under simulated gastrointestinal tract conditions. Cellular uptake test exhibited that FP-Lec-Alg NPs cold enter epithelial cells in a time-dependent manner, showing the maximum uptake efficiency were 22% and 24%, respectively, after 2 h of incubation. About 220 nm NPs can be recovered by adding 10% (w/v) sucrose. FP-Lec-Alg NPs were found to be promising delivery materials to deliver quercetin and improve its bioavailability.

Surface-Tailored Zein Nanoparticles: Strategies and Applications

Plant-derived proteins have emerged as leading candidates in several drug and food delivery applications in diverse pharmaceutical designs. Zein is considered one of the primary plant proteins obtained from maize, and is well known for its biocompatibility and safety in biomedical fields. The ability of zein to carry various pharmaceutically active substances (PAS) position it as a valuable contender for several in vitro and in vivo applications. The unique structure and possibility of surface covering with distinct coating shells or even surface chemical modifications have enabled zein utilization in active targeted and site-specific drug delivery. This work summarizes up-to-date studies on zein formulation technology based on its structural features. Additionally, the multiple applications of zein, including drug delivery, cellular imaging, and tissue engineering, are discussed with a focus on zein-based active targeted delivery systems and antigenic response to its potential in vivo applicability.